Device for cooling, in particular, electronic components, gas cooler and evaporator

ABSTRACT

A device for cooling, in particular electronic components, in particular of a processor unit, having an evaporator for the absorption of heat in a coolant in particular by means of evaporation; a gas cooler for cooling of the coolant in particular by means of condensation; a first coolant conduit for communicating connection of an evaporator outlet with a gas cooler inlet; a second coolant conduit for communicating connection of a gas cooler outlet with an evaporator inlet; a filling device for filling of the device with coolant; and the filling device is arranged on the evaporator or on the gas cooler.

The invention relates to a device for cooling, in particular ofelectronic components in accordance with the generic term of Claim 1 aswell as a gas cooler for the cooling of a coolant and an evaporator.

Such a cooling device and such a gas cooler are known from WO2006/055319 A2. The known system exhibits an evaporator for absorptionof the heat of an electronic component as well as a condenser foremission of the heat to the environment. An ascending pipe extends froman outlet of the evaporator, said ascending pipe discharging in thecondenser. In the ascending pipe bubbles of evaporated coolant from theevaporator ascend into the condenser and in this way bring about acirculation of the coolant in the system.

Additionally, coolants circuits are known which are provided with valvesfor a filling with coolant. For example, in order to fill a coolantcircuit installed in a motor vehicle with coolant, the valve isconventionally arranged at an expansion valve of the circuit.

It is the object of the present invention to simplify the filling of adevice for cooling of the initially named type.

This problem is solved by a device for cooling with the features ofClaim 1, by a gas cooler with the features of Claim 17 as well as by anevaporator with the features of Claim 18.

The basic idea of the invention is filling a cooling device with one ormore heat exchangers via a filling device on one of the heat exchangers.In this way under circumstances a good accessibility of the fillingdevice in the case of the already installed cooling device isguaranteed, so that the filling device if necessary is simplified. Inthe case that greater areas are available on the heat exchangers than onother components of the coolant circuit, the attachment of the fillingdevice, for example by means of bonding methods, is under circumstancessimplified. For example the distribution or collection containers of theheat exchanger offer if necessary such areas for the attachment of afilling device.

Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claimsand/or are explained more closely in the following in reference to thedrawings. The figures show the following:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a device for the cooling ofelectronic components,

FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a device for the cooling of electroniccomponents,

FIG. 3 shows a lateral view of a device for the cooling of electroniccomponents,

FIG. 4 shows a longitudinal section of a device for the cooling ofelectronic components,

FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of a device for the cooling of electroniccomponents,

FIG. 6 shows a view of a device for the cooling of electroniccomponents,

FIG. 7 shows a longitudinal section of a distribution container of a gascooler,

FIG. 8 shows a lateral view of a device for the cooling of electronicdevices,

FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a clamping device for the pressing ofa cooling body against an exothermal component, and

FIG. 10 shows six lateral views of a clamping device for the pressing ofa cooling body against an exothermal component.

FIG. 1 shows a cooling device 110 which is provided for the cooling ofan exothermal component not shown in the figure, preferably a processorof a computer. The cooling device 110 exhibits an evaporator 120, acondenser 130, a first coolant conduit 140 and a second coolant conduithidden in FIG. 1. The first coolant conduit 140 connects an evaporatoroutlet 150 to a hidden condenser inlet and the second coolant conduitconnects a hidden condenser outlet to a likewise hidden evaporatorinlet. The evaporator 120 is inserted into a clamping device 160, withwhich the cooling device 110 is clamped to the exothermal component.

The condenser 130 exhibits a filling device 165 which is soldered onto atubular distribution container of the condenser 130. The condenser 130is bordered framed between an essentially rectangular cover 170 with arecess 180 and an axial ventilator 190.

The coolant circuit consisting of the evaporator 120, the condenser 130and the first and second coolant conduits is first evacuated prior touse via the filling device 165 and then filled with coolant, whereinpreferably the coolant known from technology, R134e, is used.

In operation the evaporator 120 transmits heat from the exothermalcomponent to the coolant located within, which at least partiallyevaporates and gets to the condenser 130 via the first coolant conduit140. The condenser 130 transmits heat from the coolant located within toair, which is driven convectively or by the axial ventilator 190 througha ribbed pipe block of the condenser 130 and flows through the recess180. Hence the coolant is cooled in the condenser 130 and if necessaryat least partially condensed. Subsequently the coolant flows from thecondenser 130 via the second coolant conduit back to the evaporator.

FIG. 2 shows a cooling device 210 which essentially corresponds to thecooling device 110 in FIG. 1, in exploded view. The cooling device 210exhibits an evaporator 220, a condenser 230, a first coolant conduit 240and a second coolant conduit 245. The first coolant conduit 240 connectsan evaporator outlet 250 to a hidden condenser inlet and the secondcoolant conduit 245 connects a hidden condenser outlet to a likewisehidden evaporator inlet.

The evaporator 220 is inserted into a clamping device 260, to which thecooling device 210 in FIG. 2 is clamped downward to the exothermalcomponent. The clamping device 260 exhibits for this purpose a firsttension element 262 and a second tension element 263 as well as aclamping web 264 arranged between the first and second tension elements.For the pressing of the cooling device 210 against the exothermalcomponent the first tension element 262 constructed as an eye and inFIG. 2 pointing downward is mounted in a counterpart constructed as anose on the exothermal component or a frame section connected to it andafter that the second tension element, likewise constructed as an eyeand pointing downward and likewise mounted in a counterpart, as a resultof which via the clamping web 264 a tension force acts upon theevaporator 220 inserted into a fixture 266 of the clamping web 264, saidforce pressing the evaporator on the exothermal component downward. Theclamping direction is thus downward in FIGS. 1 and 2.

The condenser 230 exhibits a filling device 265 which is soldered onto atubular distribution container 232 of the condenser 230. The condenser230 is mounted between an essentially rectangular cover 270 with a frame275 encompassing the condenser 230 and a recess 280 on the one side andan axial ventilator 290 on the other side.

In operation the evaporator 220 transmits heat from the exothermalcomponent via a heat sink paste located in a protective covering and acooling plate 224 to the coolant located within, which at leastpartially evaporates. For improved heat transfer the cooling platepreferably exhibits cooling elements, such as for example ribs, burls orpins, which protrude into the evaporator, in order to be circumflowed bycoolant. A lid 226 closes the evaporator 220 and if necessary absorbsthe cooling elements.

The coolant gets to the condenser 230 via the first coolant conduit 240.The condenser 230 transmits heat from the coolant to air, which isdriven convectively or by the axial ventilator 290 through a ribbed pipeblock 234 of the condenser 230 and flows through the recess 280 of thecover 270. The axial ventilator 290 exhibits for this purpose aventilator wheel with a hub 292, ventilator blades 294 and an outer ring296, which rotates in a ventilator housing 298, driven by an electricventilator motor hidden by the hub.

The coolant flows through a hidden condenser inlet into the distributioncontainer 232 of the condenser and is distributed to the flat pipe 236of the ribbed pipe block 232, which in turn is soldered into pipeopenings of the distribution container 232. After a heat transfer to theair circumflowing the ribs 237 the cooled and if necessary condensedcoolant is collected in the collection container 238 and subsequentlyflows via a condenser outlet over the second coolant conduit 245 back tothe evaporator 220.

The condenser 230 and preferably also the evaporator 230 and the firstand second coolant conduits are made of metal, preferably aluminum or analloy, preferably aluminum alloy, and soldered. The cover 270, theindividual parts of the axial ventilator 290 with the exception of theventilator motor and/or the clamping device 260 are preferably made ofplastic, preferably by means of an injection molding process.

FIG. 3 shows a cooling device 310 in a lateral view. The cooling deviceexhibits an evaporator 320, a condenser 330, a first coolant conduit 340and a second coolant conduit 345. The first coolant conduit 340 connectsan evaporator outlet 350 to a condenser inlet hidden by a cover 370 andthe second coolant conduit 345 connects a hidden condenser outlet to anevaporator inlet 352. An axial ventilator 390 connects to the condenser330 and is located near the evaporator 320, so that between the axialventilator 390 and the evaporator 320 no room remains for the placementof a clamping device.

In operation the evaporator 320 transmits heat from an exothermalcomponent via a cooling plate 324 to a coolant located within, whichevaporates at least partially. A lid 326 closes the evaporator 320 andif necessary absorbs existing cooling elements.

The coolant gets to the condenser 330 via the first coolant conduit 340.The condenser 330 transmits heat from the coolant to air, which drivenconvectively or by the axial ventilator 390 flows through the condenser330. After a heat transfer to the air the cooled and if necessarycondensed coolant flows via a condenser outlet to the second coolantconduit 345 and from there back to the evaporator 320. The circulationof the coolant is indicated in FIG. 3 by means of arrows.

In order to promote a circulation of the coolant in the desired manner,the evaporator outlet 350 is arranged geodetically higher than theevaporator inlet 352. Since if necessary vapor bubbles in the coolantrise up in the evaporator, hence an overflow of the vapor bubbles viathe evaporator outlet 350 into the first coolant conduit 340 issupported, an overflow of the vapor bubbles via the evaporator inlet 352into the second coolant conduit 345 is on the other hand impeded.

In addition to this the circulation of the coolant is supported by thefact that the first coolant conduit 340 possesses a diameter preferablylarger by one fourth than the second coolant conduit 345. A diameter of10 mm is advantageous for the first coolant conduit 340 and a diameterof 8 mm is advantageous for the second coolant conduit.

Likewise advantageous for the circulation of the coolant are the atleast horizontal course and for the most part continuous ascent of thefirst coolant conduit 340 from the evaporator outlet 350 to thecondenser inlet as well as the continuous descent of the second coolantconduit 345 from the condenser outlet to the evaporator inlet 352.

FIG. 4 shows a cooling device 410 in a longitudinal section. The coolingdevice exhibits an evaporator 420, a condenser 430, a first coolantconduit 440 and a second coolant conduit 445. The first coolant conduit440 connects an evaporator outlet 450 to a condenser inlet 455 and thesecond coolant conduit 445 connects a condenser outlet 458 to anevaporator inlet arranged before the plane of projection and thus notvisible.

A coolant represented in black goes from the evaporator 420 via thefirst coolant conduit 440 via the evaporator outlet 450, the firstcoolant conduit 440 and the condenser inlet 455 into an essentiallycylindrical distribution container 432 of the condenser 430. Thecondenser 430 transfers heat from the coolant to air, which flowsthrough the ribbed pipe block 434 of the condenser 430. After a heattransfer to the air the cooled and if necessary condensed coolant iscollected in a collection container 438 and flows via the condenseroutlet 458 into the second coolant conduit 445 and from there back tothe evaporator 420.

In order to promote a circulation of the coolant in the desired manner,the evaporator outlet 450 is arranged geodetically higher than theevaporator inlet. In addition to this the circulation of the coolant issupported by the fact that the first coolant conduit 440 possesses adiameter preferably larger by one fourth than the second coolant conduit445. A diameter of 10 mm is advantageous for the first coolant conduit440 and a diameter of 8 mm is advantageous for the second coolantconduit. Likewise advantageous for the circulation of the coolant arethe at least horizontal course and for the most part continuous ascentof the first coolant conduit 440 as well as the continuous descent ofthe second coolant conduit 445.

It is advantageous to lower the flow resistance for the coolantcirculating in the cooling device 410 by inserting the first coolantconduit 440 into the condenser inlet 455 with an overlap and slippingonto the evaporator outlet 450. A similar advantage is achieved by thefact that the second coolant conduit 445 is inserted into the evaporatorinlet with an overlap and slipped onto the condenser outlet 458. As aresult of this bottlenecks for the coolant and/or a formation of eddiesof the coolant are prevented or at least reduced, so that thecirculation of the coolant in the desired direction is promoted incost-effective and simple structural manner. Through the insertion undercircumstances a backflow of condensed coolant into the first coolantconduit 440 or of evaporating coolant into the second coolant conduit445 is prevented or at least retarded.

A simple style is given under circumstances through the provision of acollar 451 projecting outward at the evaporator outlet 450 and/or of acollar 459 projecting outward at the condenser outlet 458. Preferablycollars 451 and 459 each have a similar or larger interior diameter thanthe first and second coolant conduits respectively, so that nobottleneck comes into being for the coolant. The first and the secondcoolant conduits then exhibit a first flared pipe end 441 and a secondflared pipe end 446 for the slipping on with inside diameters whichcorrespond to the outside dimensions of collars 451 and 459respectively.

FIG. 5 shows a cooling device 510 in cross-section which correspondsessentially to the cooling device 410 in FIG. 4. The cooling device 510exhibits an evaporator 520, a condenser 530, a first coolant conduit notarranged in the plane of projection and a second coolant conduit 545.The second coolant conduit 545 connects a condenser outlet 558 to anevaporator inlet 552 and leaves the plane of projection section bysection and is therefore not completely represented.

In the collection container 558 of the condenser 530 pipe openings 531are provided in which flat pipes 536 are inserted and soldered. The flatpipes 536 are divided by longitudinal partitions 539 into flow channels535 wherein the flow channels 535 during a condensation of the coolantare partially filled with coolant and in which the condensed coolant islikewise cooled.

A simple style is given under circumstances through the provision of acollar 559 projecting outward at the evaporator outlet 558. Preferablythe collar 459 has a similar or larger interior diameter than the secondcoolant conduit 545, so that no bottleneck comes into being for thecoolant. The second coolant conduit 545 exhibits a second flared pipeend 546 for the slipping on with inside diameters which correspond tothe outside dimensions of the collar 459.

FIG. 6 shows a cooling device 610 which is provided for the cooling ofan exothermal component not shown in the figure, preferably a processorof a computer. The cooling device 610 exhibits an evaporator 620, acondenser 630, a first coolant conduit 640 and a second coolant conduit645. The evaporator 620 is inserted into a clamping device 660, withwhich the cooling device 610 is clamped to the exothermal component.

The condenser 630 exhibits a filling device 665 which is soldered onto atubular distribution container 632 of the condenser 630. The condenser130 is framed between a cover not shown in the figure and an axialventilator 690.

The coolant circuit consisting of the evaporator 620, the condenser 630and the first and second coolant conduits is first evacuated prior touse via the filling device 665 and then filled with coolant.

FIG. 7 shows Section A-A from FIG. 6. The distribution container 632exhibits a condenser inlet 665 for an insertion and soldering of thefirst coolant conduit 640 as well as a filling opening 656 for asoldering of the filling device 665. The essentially cylindrical fillingdevice 665 is arranged longitudinally as a connecting piece on thetubular distribution container 632.

For the filling of the cooling device 610 a third coolant conduit isconnected to a valve housing 666 of the filling device constructed as avalve, by screwing a coupling element arranged on the end of the thirdcoolant conduit to the valve housing 666. In the process the couplingelement shifts a valve insert 668 in a channel 669 in FIG. 7 to the leftto a filling position, wherein a spring element within the valve insert668 not shown in the figure which is supported via a stop element 667 atthe filling opening 656 of the distribution container 632 or on thevalve housing 66, is clamped.

The cooling device 610 is first evacuated via the channel released bythe valve insert 668 in the filling position and is subsequently filledwith coolant via the third coolant conduit and the channel 669.Subsequently the coupling element is again unscrewed from the fillingdevice, wherein the spring element in the valve insert 668, undercircumstances supported by an excess pressure of the coolant in thecooling device 610, moves the valve insert 668 in FIG. 7 to the rightinto a locking position in which the valve insert 668 locks the channel669 and seals it by means of at least one sealing ring.

FIG. 8 shows the cooling device 610 from FIG. 6 in a lateral view. Theribbed pipe system 634 is in the process arranged between thecylindrical distribution container 632 and a likewise collectioncontainer 638 of the condenser 630. The filling device is arranged at aright angle to the ribbed pipe system on the distribution container. Asa result of this a space saving style is achieved with simultaneousaccessibility of the filling device.

FIG. 9 shows a clamping device 910 which is provided for a pressing of acooling body against an exothermal component, for example against aprocessor of a computer, in a perspective view. The clamping device 910exhibits a first tension element 920 and a second tension element 930 aswell as a clamping web 940 arranged between the first and second tensionelements. The clamping web 940 exhibits a fixture 950 for a cooling bodyas well as a hidden first holding element 960 and a second holdingelement 970.

For the pressing of the cooling body against the exothermal componentfirst the cooling body in FIG. 9 in inserted into the fixture fromabove. A lateral first projection of the cooling body is in the processslipped under the holding element 960 constructed as a recess, whereupona second projection of the cooling body lying opposite the firstprojection is pressed under the second holding element 970. This is madepossible by an elastic receding of the rear partial web 945 of theclamping web 940 and is facilitated by a sloping ramp 975 of the secondholding element 970.

In the case of the use of an evaporator in accordance with any one ofFIGS. 1 through 8 for example an overlap of the cooling plate oppositethe lid of the evaporator serves as a projection.

Advantageously the cooling body exhibits a stop pointing upward for theclamping device 910 so that the clamping device 910 is fixed on thecooling body after the insertion of the cooling body into the fixture950. In the case of the use of an evaporator in accordance with any oneof FIGS. 1 through 8 for example the first and or second coolant conduitfirmly connected to the evaporator, in particular soldered, serves as astop.

The cooling body arrangement obtained in this manner is finally clampedto the exothermal component or to a frame connected therewith, forexample an electronic board electronic board. For this purpose first thefirst tension element 920 constructed as an eye is mounted on the frameand subsequently the second tension element 930 is pressed downward andlikewise mounted in a nose. In order to facilitate the pressingdownward, the clamping device 910 exhibits a fixture 980 for a tool inthe region of the second tension element 930, such as for example ascrewdriver.

FIG. 10 shows six lateral views of a clamping device 1010 whichcorresponds essentially to the clamping device 910 in FIG. 9, from sixdifferent sides. The clamping device 1010 exhibits a first tensionelement 1020 and a second tension element 1030 as well as a clamping web1040 arranged in between. The clamping web 1040 exhibits a receptacle1050 for a cooling body as well as a first holding element 1060 and asecond holding element 1070.

For the pressing of the cooling body against the exothermal componentfirst the cooling body in FIG. 9 in inserted into the fixture fromabove. A lateral first Projection of the cooling body is in the processslipped under the holding element 960 constructed as a recess, whereupona second projection of the cooling body lying opposite the firstprojection is pressed under the second holding element 970. This is madepossible by an elastic receding of the rear partial web 945 of theclamping web 940 and is facilitated by a sloping ramp 975 of the secondholding element 970. In the case of the use of an evaporator inaccordance with any one of FIGS. 1 through 8 for example an overlap ofthe cooling plate opposite the lid of the evaporator serves as aprojection.

The cooling body arrangement obtained in this manner is finally clampedto the exothermal component or to a frame connected therewith, forexample an electronic board. For this purpose first the first tensionelement 920 constructed as an eye is mounted on the frame andsubsequently the second tension element 930 is pressed downward andlikewise mounted in a nose. In order to facilitate the pressingdownward, the clamping device 910 exhibits a fixture 980 for a tool inthe region of the second tension element 930, such as for example ascrewdriver.

In addition to this the second tension element 1030 is constructed as abracket that can be swiveled outward, preferably a metal bracket andexhibits a projection 1035 as an assembly aid. The second tensionelement 1030 can with this be easily swiveled into the counterpartprovided for this purpose, for example into a nose and subsequently bereleased. The clamping web 1040 is then clamped and produces a tensionforce which is transferred via the tension elements as tensile force andvia the cooling body as compression force to the exothermal component,so that a sufficient heat transfer from the exothermal component to thecooling body is guaranteed.

1. A device for cooling, in particular electronic components, inparticular of a processor unit, comprising: an evaporator for theabsorption of heat in a coolant in particular by means of evaporation; agas cooler for cooling of the coolant in particular by means ofcondensation; a first coolant conduit for communicating connection of anevaporator outlet with a gas cooler inlet; a second coolant conduit forcommunicating connection of a gas cooler outlet with an evaporatorinlet; a filling device for filling of the device with coolant; and thefilling device is arranged on the evaporator or on the gas cooler. 2.The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the gas cooler orthe evaporator exhibits a distribution container and a collectioncontainer, wherein the gas cooler inlet or evaporator inlet is arrangedon the distribution container and the gas cooler outlet or evaporatoroutlet is arranged on the collection container, and wherein thedistribution container and the collection container exhibit tubeopenings into which coolant tubes are inserted or upon which coolanttubes are slipped, wherein the coolant tubes are constructed inparticular as flat tubes with corrugated ribs arranged in between, andthat the filling device is arranged on the distribution container or onthe collection container.
 3. The device according to claim 2,characterized in that the distribution container and/or the collectioncontainer is constructed tubular, in particular cylindrical.
 4. Thedevice according to claim 2, characterized in that the filling device isarranged frontally on the tubular distribution container or collectioncontainer.
 5. The device according to claim 2, characterized in that thefilling device is arranged longitudinally on the tubular distributioncontainer or collection container.
 6. The device according to claim 2,characterized in that the tube openings are arranged longitudinally onthe tubular distribution container or collection container.
 7. Thedevice according to claim 2, characterized in that the filling device isarranged essentially opposite the tube openings on the tubulardistribution container or collection container.
 8. The device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the filling device is arrangedessentially at a right angle to the tube openings on the tubulardistribution container or collection container.
 9. The device accordingto claim 1, characterized in that the filling device is firmly bonded tothe gas cooler or evaporator, in particular bonded, soldered or welded.10. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the fillingdevice is constructed in particular as an essentially cylindricalconnecting piece.
 11. The device according to claim 1, characterized inthat the filling device is constructed as a valve with a valve housingfor attachment of a third coolant conduit and with a valve insert fortight sealing of the filling device after a filling.
 12. The deviceaccording to claim 11, characterized in that the valve insert isinserted displaceably into a channel within the valve housing between afilling position and a sealing position, wherein the value insertreleases the channel in the filling position and locks it in the lockingposition, and wherein a spring element in the valve insert or an excesspressure in the gas cooler opposite an environment moves the valveinsert into the locking position and a coupling element arranged on oneend of the third coolant conduit moves the valve insert into the fillingposition in the case of attachment to the valve housing.
 13. The deviceaccording to claim 1, characterized in that the device exhibits aconveying device, such as a ventilator, for conduction of a medium, inparticular gas, in particular cooling air, through the gas cooler. 14.The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the deviceexhibits a coolant fan, such as a compressor, between the evaporatoroutlet and the gas cooler inlet and an expansion element, such as anexpansion valve, between the gas cooler outlet and the evaporator inlet.15. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that the device isprovided for such a mounting in or on a exothermal component, that thegas cooler is arranged geodetically higher than the evaporator, so thatthe coolant flows of its own accord by evaporation form the evaporatorto the gas cooler and after condensation from the gas cooler to theevaporator.
 16. The device according to claim 15, characterized in thatthe evaporator is provided for a mounting on the exothermal component.17. A gas cooler for the cooling of a coolant in particular by means ofcondensation, wherein the gas cooler exhibits a filling device for thefilling of the gas cooler with coolant.
 18. An evaporator for thecooling of an exothermal component, in particular of an electroniccomponent, wherein the evaporator exhibits a filling device for thefilling of the evaporator with coolant.